Improvement in apparatus for the display of masonic emblems



R.. H. LYON 8L G. B. RAND. Improvement in Apparatus for the Display of Emblems.

Patented Nov. 19,18?

legi( ROYAL H. 'LYON AND GEORGE B. RAND, OF DUBUQUE, IOWA 5 sAiD LYON AssrGrNorU ro sAID RAND.

IMPROVEMENT vlN APPARATUS FORIHE DISPLAY 0F MASONIC EMBLEMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 133,236, dated INovember 19,1872 antedated November 18, 1872.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that we, ROYAL H. LYON an GEORGE B. RAND, of Dubuque, inthe county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Displaying the Emblems used by Masons, Odd-Fellows, and others, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to a novel manner ofarranging and displaying the emblems used by Masons7 and Odd-Fellows77 to illustrate their lectures when conferring degrees upon candidates; and it consists in placing them on a movable belt or apron mounted in an openfaced case or cabinet, so that they may be displayed in succession one at a time. It has heretofore been customary to have all the various emblems exposed at the same time, andV as a consequence a great confusion was often produced in the caudidates mind, and an unnecessary amount of time and labor expended in conferrin g the degrees, so far as the lectures wereconcerned. Ihe object of our invention is to enable the lecturer to present the emblems one at a time in regular succession, so that the candidate may not have his mind distracted, and so as to save the time and labor now required in designating the particular emblems referred to from time to time, and ixin'g their order of succession on the candidates mind.

Figure l represents a face view of our apparatus 5 Fig. 2, arear view of the same, with the -backof the case removed to expose the interior; Fig. 3, a vertical section on the line and Fig. 4,.a face view of the belt or apron detached and unrolled. In proceeding to construct our apparatus, we first provide a rectangular case or body, A, having an opening, a, in its front, and mount therein two horizontal rolls, B and'O, one at the top and the other at the bottom. One journal ot' each roll is extended out through the side of the case and provided with a square end, to which a crank may be applied to turn it. We next provide a long belt or apron, D, and paint, print, or otherwith one end attached to each roll, so that it may be wound back and forth from one roll onto the other. The belt thus arranged lies across the opening` a. in the front ofl the case, as shown in Fig. 2, so that as it is wound back and forth the various emblems on its face are carried past the opening and exposed one at a time in regular succession. In using the apparatus the belt'or apron is wound on one of the rolls, and then the crank applied to the other roll and turned so as to bring the successive emblems in view as they may be required from time to time in the course of the lecture. 'In order to keep the belt stretched tight and to prevent it from accidentally unwinding, the rolls are provided with grooved heads c, and the body with springarms d bearing thereon, as shown, so that the rollers can turn only when strain is applied to the belt. For the purpose of calling the candidates attention as each emblem is brought in view, we mount in the case a bell, H, the hammer of which we attach to a springarm, I, which is extended out through a slot in the side of the case and provided with a knob, as shown, so that by drawing down the knob and then releasing it the hammer is caused to sound the bell.

In the drawing the rolls are represented as being set back away from the front of the case, so that it is necessary to use a board or plate, e, to hold the apron up close to the opening; but it is obvious that the rollers may be arran ged so as to hold the apron close to the front without the use of the board. If desired, a lamp, may be placed in the case, so as to illuminate the emblems as they are brought in i'ront of the'opening; but when this is done the plate e, if used, must be made oi' glass, or provided with an opening for the light to shine through. The case may, of. course, be made of any suitable form and appropriately ornamented, so as to constitute a handsome piece ot' furniture for the lodge-room. The arrangeinfn Q y Home@ and convenient means of displaying the emblems, whereby the lecturer issaved much of the time and trouble 110W necessary, and the candidate relieved from' much of the anxiety and'difficulty attending the present arrangement.

Having thus described our invention7 what we claim is rI he herein-described apparatus for the use of Masons and Oddleilows7 consisting of the ease or body A having the rolls B and C mounted therein, and the apron D mounted on the rolls, and provided with the various emblems arranged in their regular order of succession7 as and for the purpose set forth.

/- 1t. H. LYON.

GEO. B. RAND. 'Wtnesessz A. STEWARD, GEO. B. FosTER. 

